The Valparaiso University baseball team began the final series of the regular season on Thursday night at Braun Stadium in Evansville, Ind. with a 9-2 setback to the host Purple Aces.

How It Happened

• The Beacons played from behind early as Evansville led 4-0 before an out had been recorded in the bottom of the first. The Purple Aces eventually made it a five-run frame.
• Valpo went to the bullpen right away in the second inning as Ryan Mintz (Lombard, Ill. / Willowbrook) came on and did good work. The righty put up zeros in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings before he was eventually charged with two runs in the seventh, one of which scored after he left the game. That expanded the UE edge to 7-0.
• The Beacons got on the board in the top of the seventh, when Adam Brauch (Waukee, Iowa / Dowling Catholic) ripped a triple to left center that allowed Ryan Maka (Oak Forest, Ill. / Oak Forest) and Brady Renfro (Antigo, Wis. / Antigo) to scamper home.
• The Aces got those two runs back in the bottom of the seventh to increase the margin back to seven at 9-2.  

Inside the Game

• Brauch’s triple was the first of his collegiate career.
• Brauch had two of the team’s four hits, his 11^th multi-hit game of the year. He reached base three times total, also working a walk.
• Rosenkranz’s final line featured 4 1/3 innings of five-hit ball while walking none and yielding two runs.
• The Valpo pitching staff yielded just one walk in the game. Conversely, Valpo batters drew six bases on balls while striking out only three times.

Up Next

Valpo (15-31, 4-15 MVC) and Evansville will continue the series on Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN3. Links to live video and stats are available on ValpoAthletics.com.